Socialism 2012 appeal

Help fund the fight for a socialist alternative

Ken Douglas, Socialist Party national treasurer

Socialist Party billboard on the TUC demo 20 October 2012, photo Senan (Click to enlarge)

The Socialist Party is appealing to all its members and supporters to make a donation to the Socialism 2012 appeal.

We have made big strides forward over the last year, culminating in our participation in the successful NSSN lobby of September's TUC congress in Brighton and on the 20 October TUC demo. With a stage at Speakers Corner, a marquee for the bookshop and numerous banners and gazebos along the route, many people said we had never raised socialist ideas more effectively!

The Tories are determined to make working-class people pay for the bosses' crisis - something that is becoming clearer.

That's why our demand for a 24-hour general strike was taken up enthusiastically on the 20 October demo.

This Con-Dem government now holds out the prospect of decades of cuts and austerity. Only 20% of the existing cuts have been carried through so far and the Tories have pledged another £10 billion in welfare cuts, now threatening to exclude under-25s altogether from claiming housing benefit.

The NHS faces its worst cuts in history; hospitals are threatened with closure and waiting lists are getting longer.

The three main capitalist parties have no answers. We say that there is an alternative, a socialist alternative where the enormous wealth in the world is democratically owned and controlled by the majority, by the '99%', and is used to build a society based on meeting the needs of everyone, of looking after the environment and creating a sustainable future.

A proportion of the money we raise at Socialism 2012 will also go to the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI) special appeal to assist the often difficult and pioneering work that our members are engaged in across the world.

South Africa

In South Africa, the Democratic Socialist Movement is playing a decisive role in the mineworkers' dispute.

Our comrades are assisting and leading the unofficial strike co-ordinating committees and posing a socialist alternative to the corruption, greed and betrayal of the present ANC leadership.

In Kazakhstan, as in South Africa, striking workers have faced police bullets but have still scored victories against the repressive regime.

The CWI and Socialist Movement Kazakhstan campaigned along with others for the release of political prisoners and recently celebrated the court victory of Vadim Kuramshin.

In Greece, our members are playing a prominent role in building resistance to the fascist Golden Dawn while also helping to develop a broad electoral alliance against austerity.

These are just three examples of work which would not be possible without the great sacrifices made by our comrades internationally and the financial support of all the sections.

By making a donation to the Socialism 2012 appeal you can help the work of the Socialist Party and the CWI.

Can you give £5, £50 or £500? Can you ask other members and supporters to donate? Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference and all of it will go to building support for socialist ideas.